RECALL: Toy cars pose fire, burn hazard

A battery-powered child's riding car with Cinderella graphics on the sides and front is being voluntarily recalled because wires under the hood and or in the 12-volt battery compartment under the seat can short circuit resulting in fire and burn hazards to children, said Reno Fire Marshal Bill Burney.

The recall by Dumar International USA of Franklin, Mass., in conjunction with the U.S. Product Safety Commission, affects about 64,000 of the ride-on toy cars manufactured in China that resemble the full-size Pontiac Solstice automobile.

The ride-on toy cars were sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from August 2005 through February 2006 for about $200.00 each.

Burney said there have been at least 40 incidents of the toy car's wires overheating reported, and that in several incidents smoke was seen coming from under the seat area where the battery is located. In one incident, flames reportedly shot from under the hood while a 4-year-old girl was riding the vehicle.

No injuries have been reported, so far.

Those who have the recalled toy vehicles should immediately take the cars away from children and call Dumar International at (800) 424-0500 for a free retrofit kit, including a new battery.

The electric ride-on toy is designed for children 4 to 7 years of age, and is described as light blue with Cinderella graphics on the front and sides. The wheels, steering wheel and two seats are pink. The white dashboard may contain an optional radio.

"Pontiac Solstice" is printed on the back of the car. "Walt Disney's Cinderella Special Edition" is printed on the license plate.

More information on the recalled units can be found on the Dumar International website at www.dumarusa.com, and on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08195.html .